Judge: Tipster not credible
A Fall River judge declares an anonymous tipster “not credible” in her claims that a juror discussed the Hernandez murder case at a party, dismissing defense motions to examine her claims.
On suicide watch
Hernandez is placed on suicide watch at his Massachusetts prison. Hernandez has been held at MCI Cedar Junction since his conviction. It is not an uncommon move by prisons, especially when an inmate has recently been handed a long sentence. Hernandez is separated from other inmates.
Life in prison without parole
Hernandez is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Lloyd. The sentencing is a formality because a first-degree murder conviction in Massachusetts carries an automatic sentence of life without parole. It also automatically triggers an appeal to Massachusetts’ highest court. No date for that appeal has been set.
Guilty of first-degree murder
A Massachusetts Grand Jury convicts Hernandez, with first degree murder in the killing of Lloyd in June 2013. Hernandez’s lawyer acknowledged during closing arguments that he was there when Lloyd was killed. But he pinned the shooting on Hernandez’s two friends, saying his client was a 23-year-old kid who didn’t know what to do. He is also found guilty on firearm and ammunition charges. The conviction carries a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Removed evidence from home
Jenkins testifies that, at Hernandez’s request, she removed a box from their basement the day after the killings. Prosecutors believe the box may have contained evidence or even the murder weapon. Jenkins said she didn’t look inside the box, nor did she ask Hernandez about its contents. Jenkins drove around the area, looking for a place to dump the box. She said she doesn’t remember which trash bin she threw the box into, explaining that she was nervous at the time. Her testimony contradicted what she had told a grand jury.
Judge disallows some testimony
Hernandez’s trial judge disallows some testimony from a Glock employee who claimed that surveillance video showed Hernandez was carrying a gun after the murder. The judge says the jurors may still consider the portion of the Glock employee’s testimony where he identifies the black object in Hernandez’s hand as a gun based on the back strap, but the jurors may not consider testimony about other characteristics, including a trigger guard and front strap. The defense says the object could have been a TV remote.
Granted immunity
Jenkins is granted immunity in the murder trial of fiance Hernandez. CNN legal analyst Paul Callan:
It allows the prosecutor to force her to testify in front of the jury without taking the Fifth. If she lies, she can still be prosecuted for perjury because a grant of immunity never (immunizes) someone against committing perjury on the witness stand.
$5 million for victims’ families
A civil court judge allows the families of murder victims Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado to freeze up to $5 million of Hernandez’s mansion’s worth. He denied their bid for a court order that would block the Patriots from paying their former tight end a $3.3 million signing bonus. The attorneys for the family say:
That’s one skirmish. We’re going to go forward. All we can do is pursue money. There’s no way $3.3 million will bring back these two men, so this is what the system leaves us with.
Judge says no to gag order
Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Locke refuses to issue a gag order in the matter of the alleged murder of two people by Hernandez in 2012. The judge said he sees no sign that Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley’s office had violated ethical rules for prosecutors by leaking information .
The Court is satisfied that the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office is aware of and operates consistent with the restrictions imposed by the Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct, rendering a detailed order regarding extrajudicial statements unnecessary at this time.
Indicted for Lloyd murder
A grand jury indicts Hernandez and two other people connected to him, for first-degree murder and weapons charges. He is currently being held without bail and faces life in prison, if convicted. Some of the evidence against Hernandez includes a security-camera image of him holding a gun, video of a Nissan he rented near the crime scene, and text messages. Carlos Ortiz, a friend who is being held on a gun charge, has told police that he stayed in the Nissan when Hernandez, Lloyd, and Ernest Wallace got out. According to court documents, Ortiz heard gunshots and then only Hernandez and Wallace got back in the car. Wallace has been indicted as an accessory after the fact, and Hernandez’s cousin Tanya Singleton has been charged with criminal contempt for refusing to testify before the grand jury after she received immunity.